Strongly Urging The United States Army Corps Of Engineers To Work With The Department Of Land And Natural Resources To Mitigate Negative Impacts To Corals And Other Important Coral Reef Resources While Dredging In State Waters.
Impact
The legislation expresses profound disagreement with the Army Corps' assessment that the destruction of at least seventy coral colonies could be classified as a minimal cumulative adverse effect. It calls for a reevaluation of the Corps' process for determining individual and cumulative adverse effects, highlighting the critical ecological value of corals in Hawaii in light of the ongoing threats they face from climate change, pollution, and maritime activities.
Summary
Senate Resolution 194 strongly urges the United States Army Corps of Engineers to collaborate with the Department of Land and Natural Resources in the mitigation of negative impacts to corals and essential coral reef resources during dredging activities in state waters. Recognizing the integral role of dredging in maintaining shipping channels, the resolution emphasizes the need for careful environmental planning that accounts for the adverse effects of maintenance dredging and aims to protect Hawaii's coral ecosystems.
Contention
Given the growing concerns over the health of coral reefs due to climate-driven marine heatwaves and bleaching events, the resolution seeks to empower federal oversight to prevent further degradation of these vital resources. By urging the Corps to reconsider its existing permit practices, SR194 aims to create more stringent protections against the environmental impacts associated with maintenance dredging, compelling entities to engage in more sustainable practices and collaborate with local environmental agencies.
Same As
Strongly Urging The United States Army Corps Of Engineers To Work With The Department Of Land And Natural Resources To Mitigate Negative Impacts To Corals And Other Important Coral Reef Resources While Dredging In State Waters.
Requesting The Department Of Land And Natural Resources To Work With The National Oceanic And Atmospheric Administration And Other Experts To Conduct A Study On The Population Status Of Depleted Coral Reef Herbivores Around The Island Of Oahu And Develop Effective Alternative Policies For Substantially Replenishing Those Populations Within A Decade.
Urging The Division Of Boating And Ocean Recreation Of The Department Of Land And Natural Resources To Use Job Order Contracting For Boating And Ocean Recreation Facility Maintenance And Repair.
Requesting The Department Of Land And Natural Resources To Work With The National Oceanic And Atmospheric Administration And Other Experts To Conduct A Study On The Population Status Of Coral Reef Herbivores Around The Island Of Oahu And Develop Effective Policies For Substantially Increasing Those Populations Within A Decade.
Requesting The Department Of Land And Natural Resources To Work With The National Oceanic And Atmospheric Administration And Other Experts To Conduct A Study On The Population Status Of Coral Reef Herbivores Around The Island Of Oahu And Develop Effective Policies For Substantially Increasing Those Populations Within A Decade.
Urging The Department Of Health And Encouraging The County Of Maui, United States Army Corps Of Engineers, And Federal Emergency Management Agency To Take Certain Measures To Ensure The Safest Possible Management Of Ash And Debris From The August 2023 Maui Wildfires.
Requesting The Department Of Land And Natural Resources To Work With The National Oceanic And Atmospheric Administration And Other Experts To Conduct A Study On The Population Status Of Coral Reef Herbivores Around The Island Of Oahu And Develop Effective Policies For Substantially Increasing Those Populations Within A Decade.
Strongly Urging The United States Army Corps Of Engineers To Work With The Department Of Land And Natural Resources To Mitigate Negative Impacts To Corals And Other Important Coral Reef Resources While Dredging In State Waters.